Established Media

Reefer07 · 09/24/2007, 09:35 AM

I had an HOB on my 29g freshwater tank. I took it off a few weeks ago but I stuffed the bio-bag thing in with my filter media in my xP2(currently filtering the 29)
I am sure that bio-bag is still loaded with plenty of bacteria and someone told me the bacteria from freshwater is the same as SW and can withstand the salinity.
Does this mean I can throw that old bio-bag from my FW into my HOB I am going to use for my SW?
I will do it the same time I put in the LR so should I get a few hermits and stuff to provide the bacteria with a starting source of ammonia?

Aquarist007 · 09/24/2007, 10:02 AM

Put your live rock in and let your tank cycle for about 4-6 weeks
Do not add invertebrates at this point--esp adding the live rock. Usually at about the 4 week point it is safe to add a cleaning crew.

Eventually you can get rid of the media alltogether----if you have live rock in your tank you do not need this for filtration.
If you still want to use the HOB then put a bag of carbon in it and just run that.

are you going to test for ammonia and nitrates when you add the live rock?

Reefer07 · 09/24/2007, 11:05 AM

I have a master test kit and plan to test every day when the tank is started.
You don't think it will cycle quicker than 4 weeks because of the established filter?
I realize when I put the rock in the stuff on it that is living will probably die because I won't have anything in my tank for it to live off of at the time. However, when they die and create ammonia, etc. they will be quickly eaten up because of the established bacteria colonies in my old filter.
Am I right in saying that?

09/24/2007, 09:35 AM	#1
Reefer07 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Connecticut Posts: 2,090	Established Media I had an HOB on my 29g freshwater tank. I took it off a few weeks ago but I stuffed the bio-bag thing in with my filter media in my xP2(currently filtering the 29) I am sure that bio-bag is still loaded with plenty of bacteria and someone told me the bacteria from freshwater is the same as SW and can withstand the salinity. Does this mean I can throw that old bio-bag from my FW into my HOB I am going to use for my SW? I will do it the same time I put in the LR so should I get a few hermits and stuff to provide the bacteria with a starting source of ammonia?

09/24/2007, 10:02 AM	#2
Aquarist007 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hamilton, Canada Posts: 28,240 Blog Entries: 1	Put your live rock in and let your tank cycle for about 4-6 weeks Do not add invertebrates at this point--esp adding the live rock. Usually at about the 4 week point it is safe to add a cleaning crew. Eventually you can get rid of the media alltogether----if you have live rock in your tank you do not need this for filtration. If you still want to use the HOB then put a bag of carbon in it and just run that. are you going to test for ammonia and nitrates when you add the live rock? __________________ I prefer my substrates stirred but not shaken Current Tank Info: 150gal long mixed reef, 90gal sump, 60 gal refugium with 200 lbs live rock

09/24/2007, 11:05 AM	#3
Reefer07 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Connecticut Posts: 2,090	I have a master test kit and plan to test every day when the tank is started. You don't think it will cycle quicker than 4 weeks because of the established filter? I realize when I put the rock in the stuff on it that is living will probably die because I won't have anything in my tank for it to live off of at the time. However, when they die and create ammonia, etc. they will be quickly eaten up because of the established bacteria colonies in my old filter. Am I right in saying that?